College is expensive. SEMA can help. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $2,000 - $3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student. Assistance is available for career paths in the automotive industry in:

Accounting

Engineering

Race Car Driver/Crew

Administration

Information Technology

Sales/Marketing

Advertising

Manufacturing

Technicians

Design/Graphics

Photo/Journalism

Transportation

For Students attending Ohio Technical College (OTC): a full-year of tuition, valued up to $29,400, will be awarded to one student!

The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program is dedicated to aiding recent graduates in getting off to a successful start in their automotive aftermarket career. We offer $2,000 awards toward outstanding student loans for individuals who are employed by SEMA member companies. Read more..

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

The current minimum eligibility requirements are as follows. A student must:

Be a U.S. Citizen enrolled full-time in a program of study at an accredited university, college or post-secondary vocational/technical program located within the fifty (50) United States, at the time of application.(Permanent/Legal residents and High School students are not eligible to apply.)

If currently attending a four-year accredited university or college you must have completed a minimum of 50 credit hours OR

If currently attending a two-year accredited community college or vocational/technical program you must have completed a minimum of 25 credit hours OR

If currently attending an accredited automotive training certification program, you must have half of total curriculum requirements/classroom hours completed.

If currently enrolled in a Master's, Post-baccalaureate or Doctorate degree program, provide unofficial transcripts showing evidence of full-time enrollment and current GPA. OR, provide unofficial transcripts from your bachelor’s degree showing final GPA, and proof of enrollment in/acceptance to a graduate degree program.

Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Be pursuing studies leading to a career in the automotive industry or related field.

Remain enrolled as a full-time student in the first academic term following receipt of the award.

Scholarship Application "To Do" List:

Provide Unofficial College Transcripts

Provide Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

From teachers, administrators or guidance counselors; those who are familiar with your academic performance. (Letters from family or friends will not be accepted.)

Letters should be addressed to the "SEMA Memorial Scholarship Program" and submitted on official letterhead.

Provide Two (2) 250-Word Essays in Response to the Following Questions:

a) Why do you want to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket? What do you feel you can contribute to this industry?

b) The automotive aftermarket is driven by the passion of the people in it. What drives you? What inspires you? Why should you be awarded a SEMA Memorial Scholarship?

4. Provide Personal Background Information:

Academic Activities

Community Service

Extracurricular Activities

Automotive-Related Activities

Honors and Awards

Applicant Work Experience

Military Experience

To Get Started, Follow These Steps:

Create a free account using your email address

Select "Apply for a scholarship/award" at right side of home page

Enter program key SEMA

Have someone else review and proofread your essays and the completed application

Submit completed application by April 1, 2015

You will be notified in June; if you are selected, the funds will be sent to the financial aid office and applied to your tuition balance.